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Batch reactors are used for most of the reactions carried out in a laboratory. The
reactants are placed in a test-tube, flask or beaker. They are mixed together, often
heated for the reaction to take place and are then cooled. The products are poured
out and, if necessary, purified.
This procedure is also carried out in
industry, the key difference being,
size of reactor and the quantities of
reactants. One in which feed material
is treated as a whole for a fixed period
of time
Semi-batch reactors
A semi batch reactor allows partial filling of reactants with the flexibility of
adding more as time progresses. Stirring in both types is very efficient, which
allows batch and semi batch reactors to assume a uniform composition and
temperature throughout.
Continuous reactors
Tubular
Fixed
Fluid
Continuous
bed
bed
reactors
reactors
reactors
stirred tank reactors
Tubular reactor
In a tubular reactor, fluids (gases and/or liquids) flow through it at high velocities.
As the reactants flow, for example along a heated pipe, they are converted to
products. At these high velocities, the products are unable to diffuse back and
there is little or no back mixing.
This reduces the occurrence of side reactions and increases the yield of the
desired product.
The reaction rate is faster at the pipe inlet because the concentration of reactants
is at its highest and the reaction rate reduces as the reactants flow through the
pipe due to the decrease in
concentration of the reactant.
Examples-
In the steam cracking of ethane, propane
and butane and naphtha to produce
alkenes.
Fixed bed reactor
Examples –
1)manufacture of sulfuric acid (vanadium(V) oxide as
catalyst)
2)manufacture of nitric acid ( iron as the catalyst)
3)manufacture of ammonia ( iron as the catalyst).
Fluid bed reactor
A fluid bed reactor is sometimes used whereby the catalyst particles, which are
very fine, sit on a distributor plate. When the gaseous reactants pass through the
distributor plate, the particles are carried with the gases forming a fluid. This
ensures very good mixing of the reactants with the catalyst, with very high contact
between the gaseous molecules and the catalyst and a good heat transfer. This
results in a rapid reaction and a uniform mixture, reducing the variability of the
process conditions.